Beschreibung:

BOUGAINVILLE, Hyacinthe-Yves-Philippe Potentin, Baron de (1781-1846). Journal de la navigation autour du globe de la frégate La Thétis et de la corvette L'Esperance pendant les années 1824, 1825 et 1826 . Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1837. First edition of the official record of Bougainville's voyage around the world. The main intention of the voyage was political: to re-establish links with Cochin China (Vietnam) and to extend French influence in Indochina. However, Bougainville also touched at Pondicherry, Manila, Macao, Surabaya, Sydney, Port Jackson, Valparaiso and Rio de Janeiro. He spent several months in and around Sydney, where most of the ornithological material gathered by the voyage had been collected, before setting a course for South America, landing at Chile, rounding Cape Horn to Brazil and ultimately returning to Brest after a total of 28 months. Borba de Moraes I, 115; Ferguson 2236; Fine Bird Books p.79; Hill 162; Howgego II, B50; Sabin 6875. 3 volumes, comprising 2 text volumes, quarto (299 x 233mm) and one atlas volume, folio (523 x 350mm). Text: Wood-engraved title vignettes and tail-pieces (spotting, some waterstaining in vol. 1, leaf 1-2 in part 2 of vol. 2 wormed touching a few words); atlas: 56 lithographed plates, of which 13 hand-coloured, comprising 34 views and portraits, 12 hand-coloured natural history plates, double-page hand-coloured engraved plate of various vessels, folding engraved map, 2 double-page coastal profiles and 6 double-page engraved maps and charts (scattered spotting and browning). Contemporary green pebble-grain morocco, gilt-ruling within black borders, initialled A.B in gilt to upper covers.